Missouri 'Monster' Tornado Photos, Videos: 'Catastrophic Damage,' Casualties Reported

A "monster" tornado ripped through Missouri's capital Wednesday night, causing several injuries and "catastrophic damage," according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The "violent tornado" was confirmed in Jefferson City around 11.43 p.m. EDT, as severe thunderstorms continued to strike Central U.S.

According to NWS, the tornado moved at 40 mph and sent debris 13,000 feet into the air. The weather service of Saint Louis said on Facebook that the tornado "produced extensive damage."

At least three people have been confirmed killed as tornadoes swept across Missouri. The fatalities were confirmed in Golden City, 170 miles southwest of state capital Jefferson City. There was no word on any fatalities in the capital as of Thursday morning.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons said on Twitter that Jefferson City's tornado was one of many bringing chaos throughout the state.

"Major tornados across state tonight, including Jeff City. We're doing okay but praying for those that were caught in damage, some are still trapped - local emergency crews are on site and assisting," Parsons tweeted.

Jefferson City Police Lt. David Williams said officers received multiple calls of people being trapped in their homes.

"It's a chaotic situation right now," Williams told reporters. "We need people who are not affected to stay out of those areas."

Late Wednesday night, the weather service warned residents in a tweet to take "shelter now!" as the tornado, described as "large and destructive", hit the capital.

"When it hit... it felt like an earthquake," Cindy Sandoval-Jakobsen, a resident of Jefferson City, told CNN.

Images on social media showed buildings ripped apart and trees uprooted.

As of Thursday morning, tornado warnings remained in place outside St. Louis, in eastern Missouri.

Missouri Public Safety wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that local first responders were going "door-to-door."

"Consider all power lines live. Stay out of areas with damage," officials warned, adding that there was severe damage along Ellis Boulevard near Highway 54.

Wednesday's storms come on the eighth anniversary of a tornado that killed 161 people in Joplin, Missouri, one of the deadliest and most destructive tornadoes in U.S. history.